Local media and faculty and staff were invited to meet the new competitive women’s basketball team during an open workout session on Wednesday, Aug. 15 at Georgia Highlands College. Most of the 11 women hail from Georgia, but Manon Cherubini has traveled from France to be part of the team. Cherubini is a sophomore, and started her college career at South Georgia Technical College, where she played for Coach Brandan Harrell’s team. Harrell also came to Georgia Highlands from SGTC, and he has two other team members following him: Shanique Holston of Reynolds, Georgia and Shakierya McClendon of Fort Valley. The team also welcomes out-of-state players Lashanta Clardy from Clarksville, Tennessee and Gabrielle Kendall, Canton, Ohio.

Other members of the team include Amber Curtis of Savannah, who was the Greater Savannah Athletics Hall of Fame Player of the Year in 2010/2011; Shan’Taja Latimore from Lawrenceville; Seandre Lee from Hinesville; Jessica Michaels from Acworth; Rachael Turrentine from Rome, who played for Darlington School; and Holly Williams from Bremen.

The first women’s game is scheduled for Nov. 1 in Scobba, Miss., when GHC plays East Mississippi Community College. The first home game is Sunday, Nov. 4 in Rome against Wallace State.

Harrell is pleased with the line-up. He said, “We are fortunate to have recruited some young women who have performed outstandingly in their former schools. And we are equally lucky that we have three players I previously coached who have joined the team. They add the benefit of putting us a little ahead in forming a cohesive team who plays well together. I’m looking forward to an exciting first year.”